Labels

FIFA to investigate VAR failures

FIFA will investigate the failure of video technology after Harry Kane’s World Cup penalty farce. Kane was denied what looked like two clear penalty decisions in their 2-1 victory over Tunisia after twice being wrestled to the ground by Ferjani Sassi. Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan took no action and the four VAR officials also failed to intervene to leave the English fuming. That comes on top of Brazil also complaining to FIFA, after claiming they were denied two key decisions in Sunday's draw with Switzerland. It has all left VAR in danger of becoming a farce and now the Football Association are watching with interest to see what action the world governing body will take. FA technical director Dan Ashworth has already held a debrief on the game and England believe they were wronged on both decisions, but will not take action of their own until it is known whether FIFA will intervene.

FIFA are likely to hold their own referees’ meeting in the next week and then go on to explain publicly the decisions after introducing VAR at the tournament. It is being used in the World Cup for the first time and, according to FIFA, should only “correct clear and obvious errors and missed incidents in clearly defined match-changing decisions”. There were suggestions that at other infringements on the pitch at the time were to blame for Kane not being awarded either penalty. For the first, there is clearly a push from John Stones on Tunisia defender Ellyes Skhiri before the ball reaches Kane and Sassi, and then for the second it is possible to argue that Kane grabbed Yassine Meriah's arm as the pair tussled. England defender Kyle Walker, who conceded a controversial penalty himself, claims that the players have been left confused over VAR. Walker said: “We’ve had a briefing, but what’s correct and what’s not? When do you ask for it? You don’t want to crowd the referee and say ‘VAR’, because then it is a yellow card.I think you just have to let the referees get on with it and let them take the decisions. They have got a hard enough game as it is without putting any more confusion in it. Striker Marcus Rashford said: “The idea of bringing it (VAR) into the game is spot on. It will improve with time because there are some decisions where they have to at least check whether or not it’s a penalty. I’m sure it’s something they can improve on. We’ve not talked about last night (against Tunisia) specifically, but we’ve had conversations about it previously. It’s a tough one because I think it’s something the game needed. As with everything, it needs improving and I think it will improve in time”.

The Brazil FA also weighed into the controversy after they had two decisions they felt should have been reviewed ignored in their match against the Swiss. Brazilian football’s governing body said: "The CBF requires to know from FIFA the reason the technology was not used in key incidents during the game".